Reading with Newborn Babies is an Important Habit to get into

Most parents believe reading to newborn babies is a really important habit to get into. But time-poor parents are struggling to cram it into those hectic early days when it’s all about survival, deciphering different cries and laughably, trying to get some sleep.

According to findings by Pat-a-Cake books, a staggering 87 per cent instinctively thought that reading to newborns was a really important thing to do, even if they weren’t entirely sure why.

“Active parental talking is essential to feed baby and toddler brains with language precisely at the time when connections in the brain are being formed,” says Pat-a-Cake publisher Heather Crossley.

“Books are brilliant for this, and by reading the words and talking about the pictures, parents are bathing their babies in language and stimulating their brains.”

According to the research’s findings, parents felt ill-informed about the effect reading has on their newborns, with 33 per cent actually thinking it had little effect if any at all.

Pat-a-Cake child development consultant, Dr Jacqueline Harding said: “It is clear that UK parents still need to fully understand the benefits of sharing books with babies right from birth – something which will have a profoundly positive impact on their child’s future.

“Reading books with babies and young children is absolutely pivotal, developmentally. Reading is an enjoyable experience for parents and babies. It can strengthen the bonding experience, build essential social and emotional abilities and help develop communication skills. Advances in knowledge concerning baby brain development have generated excitement about how the right kind of stimulation can do wonders for promoting cognitive growth and later learning. Pat-a-Cake books are helping parents take that first big step forward with their child and I am thrilled to be a part of this adventure.”

For more information about Pata-a-Cake books, visit: www.patacake.co.uk